1931
James
2020
James Robert Huggett
May 22, 1931 — October 2, 2020
James Robert Huggett
After a long battle with diabetes, congestive heart failure, and more recently pneumonia and Covid our husband/father/grandfather/great grandfather "Big Jim" Huggett passed away on Oct 2nd at the age of 89. Born to Henry M and Hazel E Huggett the 4th son of 7 boys on May 22, 1931. He was a lifelong resident of the Marshall area and was a graduate of Marshall High School, class of 1950. He continued his education and graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Jim established a hard work ethic and leadership skills at a young age by achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
Jim's working career spanned forty plus years with Ronan & Kunzl. He began working in the factory and ended as one of the stockholder/owner and Vice President of the company. He also owned and operated a community favorite, Huggett's Upick Blueberry operations. Other entrepreneur endeavors included owning and operating two laundry mats one in Marshall and one in Charlotte MI, Huggett's Nice and Clean.
Jim had been very active in the communities that he lived, he was elected and served as Township Trustee for Convis Township for over twenty five years. During that time, he served as Chairman of the Building Committee that built the Convis Township Hall. He also earned his Level I Michigan Tax Assessor certification.
On January 8, 1951, Jim entered the United States Navy. He sailed on the USS Roanoke (CL145) light cruiser, which patrolled in the Mediterranean Sea during the Korean War. He spent three exciting years in the Navy, mostly aboard the cruiser Roanoke, which took him to twenty foreign countries (largely Mediterranean) and five continents.
On April 27, 1954, he married the former Judith Saari in Detroit.
Jim had a strong belief in the Lord God and an abiding faith in the love and assurance of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He counted it a privilege to be a member and worship with many wonderful church families. Throughout the years, he worshiped with the Marshall United Methodist Church, Convis Union Methodist, Marshall First Baptist, and Lakeside Lutheran in Florida. At various time he served as trustee and deacon and sang in the choirs.
Music and Theater was an important part of Jim's life. He performed in musicals and plays with the Marshall Civic Theater. He was a member of and performed with the Venice Gondoliers Barbershop chorus in Venice FL. He also sang with the Battle Creek Harmony Hounds barbershop chorus. He and his wife enjoyed going to the theater and symphony performances.
Jim enjoyed large family events on the farm. November 15th was a big day at the Huggett Sesquicentennial farm. Jim and his father, brothers, sons, nephews, and various other guest would gather and hunt at the farm.
The Huggett family also gathered for large family reunions for several years at the farm. As well as he and his wife hosted extended family and friends for Christmas Eve for many years.
Jim lived a full and active life. While in high school he, lettered in four different sports. As a member of the Marshall and Battle Creek bowling leagues, he traveled to numerous tournaments winning many trophies. He was inducted into the Marshall Lane's Bowling Hall of Fame and achieved membership into the 700 series. Jim loved to hunt and had traveled to Africa to bow hunt as well as Wyoming. He also enjoyed frequent hunting trips to Northern Michigan and on the family farm in Convis Township. After their retirement Jim and Judy wintered in Venice FL and enjoyed traveling together, visiting many different countries. Jim was a member of the Marshall Claude E, Hale V.F.W. Post #4073, and the Marshall Moose Lodge #676.
Golfing was another passion of Jim's. He was a member of the Marshall County Club and Pelican Pointe Country Club in Venice FL. He and Gordy Vance, won the Marshall Country Club Member-Member Overall Champion for 2 years in a row in 2010 & 2011.
He had a special relationship with each of his grandchildren and their families.
Survived by his wife, Judith (Saari) Huggett, children, Cindy (Mike) Sobel, J. Douglas (April) Huggett, and Andrea (Daniel) Reichard; Grandchildren, Jay (Darcy) Sobel, Stephen (Meg) Sobel, Bekah (Darrell) Terry, Benjamin (Shawna) Reichard, Zachary (Mandy) Reichard, Jimi Huggett, Christopher Huggett, Erin Huggett; Great Grandchildren Luke, Jack, Oscar, Shepherd, Rachel, Luke, Teddy, Lily, June; and a brother, Charles L. (Marcie) Huggett, sister-in-laws, Nancy White, Carol Segal and many nephew and nieces.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Richard M., Clarence W., Russell S., Kenneth L, and Thomas E. Huggett.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Marshall United Methodist Church, 721 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068, http://umcmarshall.org/ . Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Marshall United Methodist Church, or the Marshall First Baptist Church or donor's choice. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N. Marshall, MI 49068.
To leave a personal message and sign the online guest book, please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com .
After a long battle with diabetes, congestive heart failure, and more recently pneumonia and Covid our husband/father/grandfather/great grandfather "Big Jim" Huggett passed away on Oct 2nd at the age of 89. Born to Henry M and Hazel E Huggett the 4th son of 7 boys on May 22, 1931. He was a lifelong resident of the Marshall area and was a graduate of Marshall High School, class of 1950. He continued his education and graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Jim established a hard work ethic and leadership skills at a young age by achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
Jim's working career spanned forty plus years with Ronan & Kunzl. He began working in the factory and ended as one of the stockholder/owner and Vice President of the company. He also owned and operated a community favorite, Huggett's Upick Blueberry operations. Other entrepreneur endeavors included owning and operating two laundry mats one in Marshall and one in Charlotte MI, Huggett's Nice and Clean.
Jim had been very active in the communities that he lived, he was elected and served as Township Trustee for Convis Township for over twenty five years. During that time, he served as Chairman of the Building Committee that built the Convis Township Hall. He also earned his Level I Michigan Tax Assessor certification.
On January 8, 1951, Jim entered the United States Navy. He sailed on the USS Roanoke (CL145) light cruiser, which patrolled in the Mediterranean Sea during the Korean War. He spent three exciting years in the Navy, mostly aboard the cruiser Roanoke, which took him to twenty foreign countries (largely Mediterranean) and five continents.
On April 27, 1954, he married the former Judith Saari in Detroit.
Jim had a strong belief in the Lord God and an abiding faith in the love and assurance of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He counted it a privilege to be a member and worship with many wonderful church families. Throughout the years, he worshiped with the Marshall United Methodist Church, Convis Union Methodist, Marshall First Baptist, and Lakeside Lutheran in Florida. At various time he served as trustee and deacon and sang in the choirs.
Music and Theater was an important part of Jim's life. He performed in musicals and plays with the Marshall Civic Theater. He was a member of and performed with the Venice Gondoliers Barbershop chorus in Venice FL. He also sang with the Battle Creek Harmony Hounds barbershop chorus. He and his wife enjoyed going to the theater and symphony performances.
Jim enjoyed large family events on the farm. November 15th was a big day at the Huggett Sesquicentennial farm. Jim and his father, brothers, sons, nephews, and various other guest would gather and hunt at the farm.
The Huggett family also gathered for large family reunions for several years at the farm. As well as he and his wife hosted extended family and friends for Christmas Eve for many years.
Jim lived a full and active life. While in high school he, lettered in four different sports. As a member of the Marshall and Battle Creek bowling leagues, he traveled to numerous tournaments winning many trophies. He was inducted into the Marshall Lane's Bowling Hall of Fame and achieved membership into the 700 series. Jim loved to hunt and had traveled to Africa to bow hunt as well as Wyoming. He also enjoyed frequent hunting trips to Northern Michigan and on the family farm in Convis Township. After their retirement Jim and Judy wintered in Venice FL and enjoyed traveling together, visiting many different countries. Jim was a member of the Marshall Claude E, Hale V.F.W. Post #4073, and the Marshall Moose Lodge #676.
Golfing was another passion of Jim's. He was a member of the Marshall County Club and Pelican Pointe Country Club in Venice FL. He and Gordy Vance, won the Marshall Country Club Member-Member Overall Champion for 2 years in a row in 2010 & 2011.
He had a special relationship with each of his grandchildren and their families.
Survived by his wife, Judith (Saari) Huggett, children, Cindy (Mike) Sobel, J. Douglas (April) Huggett, and Andrea (Daniel) Reichard; Grandchildren, Jay (Darcy) Sobel, Stephen (Meg) Sobel, Bekah (Darrell) Terry, Benjamin (Shawna) Reichard, Zachary (Mandy) Reichard, Jimi Huggett, Christopher Huggett, Erin Huggett; Great Grandchildren Luke, Jack, Oscar, Shepherd, Rachel, Luke, Teddy, Lily, June; and a brother, Charles L. (Marcie) Huggett, sister-in-laws, Nancy White, Carol Segal and many nephew and nieces.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Richard M., Clarence W., Russell S., Kenneth L, and Thomas E. Huggett.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Marshall United Methodist Church, 721 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068, http://umcmarshall.org/ . Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Marshall United Methodist Church, or the Marshall First Baptist Church or donor's choice. Assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N. Marshall, MI 49068.
To leave a personal message and sign the online guest book, please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Robert Huggett, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Marshall United Methodist Church
Guestbook
Visits: 21
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors